Comparator and oscillator circuit using said comparator

ABSTRACT

Oscillator circuit uses a comparator, and controls charge-discharge of Miller capacitance between gate and drain of a MOSFET serving as an amplifier of the comparator gain unit and gate capacitance of the MOSFET, and enables comparator output to follow a high-frequency control signal that is input externally. An oscillator circuit uses a comparator CMP having differential and gain units. This oscillator circuit includes: a charge-discharge controller to control charge-discharge of Miller capacitance between gate and drain of a MOSFET and gate capacitance of the MOSFET; and an output controller to control output of the gain unit. Output controller includes: an inverter to connect to an input of the differential unit and receive a control signal input; a logic circuit to receive output of the inverter and output of the gain unit as an input; a transistor; and a capacitor to connect to input and output of the logic circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2018/040507, filed Oct. 31, 2018 and based upon and claiming the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-240723, filed Dec. 15, 2017, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a comparator and to an oscillator circuit using the comparator.

BACKGROUND ART

Semiconductor integrated circuits include an oscillator circuit configured to output a clock signal with a constant frequency for in-circuit time setting. One example of such an oscillator circuit includes an oscillator circuit using a comparator.

Comparators are one of the elements, and Patent Document 1 describes a comparator as one example.

Some oscillator circuits using a comparator include external resistor and capacitor connecting to one of the input terminals of the comparator, and change a reference voltage input to the other input terminal of the comparator depending on the output of the comparator. Such an oscillator circuit has an oscillatory frequency that is determined by the resistance value and the capacitance value of the external resistor and capacitor, and by the reference voltage.

FIG. 27 illustrates a conventional oscillator circuit using a comparator. An oscillator circuit 1 includes: a power-supply terminal VDD to receive an external power-supply voltage; an input terminal CG connecting to external resistor R0 and capacitor C0 to determine the oscillatory frequency; and a ground terminal GND connecting to the ground level. In this drawing, VDD indicates the power-supply voltage as well. The input terminal CG also functions as the input terminal to receive an external control signal to control the comparator and thus the oscillator circuit.

The oscillator circuit 1 also includes a comparator having a differential unit 2 and a gain unit 3 each connecting to the power-supply terminal VDD and the ground terminal GND, and a transistor (P-type MOSFET) P5 connecting to the power-supply terminal VDD and the ground terminal GND. The drain of the transistor P5 connects to a constant current source to flow a constant current “ibias”.

The differential unit 2 includes transistors (P-type MOSFETs) P2 to P4 and transistors (N-type MOSFETs) N3 and N4. The drain of the transistor P5 connects to the gate of this transistor and to the gate of the transistor P2. The sources of the transistors P5 and P2 connect to the power-supply terminal VDD. The transistors P5 and P2 make up a current mirror circuit, and the transistor P2 serves as a constant current source that supplies a bias current to the differential unit 2, where the constant current “ibias” flowing through the transistor P5 is the reference current of the bias current (i.e., the bias current is proportional to the constant current “ibias”).

The drain of the transistor P2 connects to the sources of the transistors P3 and P4 that make up a differential pair. The gates of the transistors P3 and P4 are the input of the differential unit 2. The gate of the transistor P3 receives the electric potential at the connecting point of the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0, or a control signal via the input terminal CG. The gate of the transistor P4 receives a reference voltage to be compared with the electric potential at the connecting point of the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0 or with the control signal input from an external circuit. The drain of the transistor P3 connects to the drain of the transistor N3. The drain of the transistor P4 connects to the drain and the gate of the transistor N4 and to the gate of the transistor N3. The sources of the transistors N3 and N4 connect to the ground terminal GND. The transistors N3 and N4 make up a current mirror circuit, and serve as an active load of the differential unit 2. The drain of the transistor P3 and the drain of the transistor N3 are the output of the differential unit 2.

The gain unit 3 includes a transistor (P-type MOSFET) P1 and a transistor (N-type MOSFET) N2 as an amplifier. A constant current flows through the transistor P1, and the constant current “ibias” is the reference current of this constant current (i.e., this constant current is proportional to the constant current “ibias”). The source of the transistor P1 connects to the power-supply terminal VDD, and the gate of this transistor connects to the drain of the transistor P5 and to the gate of the transistor P5. The transistors P5 and P1 make up a current mirror circuit. The drain and the source of the transistor N2 connect to the drain of the transistor P1 and the ground terminal GND, respectively. The gate of the transistor N2 receives the output of the differential unit 2. The connecting point of the drain of the transistor P1 and the drain of the transistor N2 is the output of the gain unit 3.

The oscillator circuit 1 also includes: a voltage-dividing circuit having resistors R2 to R6 that are serially connected in sequence between the power-supply terminal VDD and the ground terminal GND; and switches (N-type MOSFETs) N5 and N6. This voltage-dividing circuit yields a first reference voltage V1 that is a voltage at the connecting point between the resistor R3 and the resistor R4, and a second reference voltage V2 that is a voltage at the connecting point between the resistor R4 and the resistor R5. The second reference voltage V2 is lower than the first reference voltage. The first reference voltage V1 is input to the gate of the transistor P4 via the switch N5. The second reference voltage V2 is input to the gate of the transistor P4 via the switch N6 that operates in the opposite phase of the switch N5.

The comparator includes inverters INV1 and INV2 in addition to the differential unit 2 and the gain unit 3. The output of the gain unit 3 is input to the inverter INV2. The output of this inverter INV2 is input to the inverter INV1 and to the gate of the switch N5. The output of this inverter INV1 connects to the gate of the switch N6. The output of the inverter INV1 is the output of the comparator.

The oscillator circuit 1 also includes a discharge circuit to discharge the capacitor C0. The discharge circuit includes: a resistor R1 and a transistor (N-type MOSFET) N1 serially connected between the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. The gate of the transistor N1 receives the output of the comparator. A D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF frequency-divides the comparator output so that the resultant frequency is ½ and the resultant duty ratio is 50%, and the output after such frequency-dividing is the clock output (the output of the oscillator circuit 1).

For typical operation of such an oscillator circuit 1, the oscillator circuit includes a resistor R0 externally connecting to the input terminal CG and the power-supply terminal VDD. The oscillator circuit also includes a capacitor C0 externally connecting to the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. In this case, charge-discharge of the capacitor C0 yields a control signal to be input to the input terminal CG.

In one example, let the power-supply voltage be 5 V, and the reference potential of the oscillator circuit 1 be at the ground level, i.e., 0 V. The resistors R2 to R6 have the same resistance values. This means that the first reference voltage V1 is 3 V, and the second reference voltage V2 is 2 V. All logical threshold voltages for the inverter INV1, the inverter INV2, and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF are ½×VDD. The resistance value of the resistor R1 is sufficiently smaller than the resistance value of the resistor R0. The resistance value of the resistor R0 and the capacitance value of the capacitor C0 are set so that the oscillatory frequency of the comparator output is about 200 kHz, i.e., the frequency of the clock output is about 100 kHz. The gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2 is set at 0.7 V.

FIGS. 28(a)-28(e) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 during typical operation. The horizontal axis in this drawing indicates time (μs). The vertical axis indicates CG voltage (V) that is the voltage at the input terminal CG in FIG. 28(a), output voltage of the differential unit (V) in FIG. 28(b), output voltage of the gain unit (V) in FIG. 28(c), comparator output voltage (V) in FIG. 28(d), and clock output voltage (V) in FIG. 28(e).

When the comparator output voltage is at a low level (0 V), the output of the inverter INV1 is at a low level and the output of the inverter INV2 is at a high level. This turns the switch N5 on and the switch N6 off. The reference voltage input to the differential unit 2 therefore is the first reference voltage V1, i.e., 3 V. The transistor N1 also turns off. This charges the capacitor C0 with a charge current I_(c) illustrated in FIG. 27, so that the CG voltage increases from 2 V to 3 V. At this time, the output voltage of the differential unit is at a high level. The transistor N2 in the gain unit 3 therefore turns on, and the output voltage of the gain unit is at a low level (0 V).

When the CG voltage exceeds the first reference voltage V1, i.e., 3 V, the current flowing through the transistor P4 exceeds the current flowing through the transistor P3, so that the gate voltage of the transistors N3 and N4 increases. The output voltage of the differential unit gradually decreases while discharging the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 and the gate capacitance of this transistor via the current flowing through the transistor N3.

Note here that the capacitance (parasitic capacitance) between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 acts while having the magnitude multiplied by the voltage amplification factor of the transistor (strictly multiplied by (the voltage amplification factor+1)). This phenomenon is called the Miller effect. The value obtained by multiplying the capacitance between the gate and the drain by the voltage amplification factor of the transistor is called the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain.

When the output voltage of the differential unit falls below the gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2, then the transistor N2 turns off. The output voltage of the gain unit then gradually increases while charging the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 via the constant current from the transistor P1.

When the output voltage of the gain unit reaches the logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV2, then the output voltage of the inverter INV2 changes to a low level. The output voltage of the inverter INV1, i.e., the comparator output voltage changes to a high level (5 V). This turns the switch N5 off and the switch N6 on. The reference voltage input to the differential unit 2 therefore is the second reference voltage V2, i.e., 2 V. Turning on the transistor N1 discharges the capacitor C0. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 27, a discharge current I_(d) flows from the capacitor C0 to the ground terminal GND via the input terminal CG, the resistor R1, and the transistor N1. This lowers the CG voltage.

When the CG voltage falls below the second reference voltage V2, i.e., 2 V, the current flowing through the transistor P3 exceeds the current flowing through the transistor P4 and the current flowing through the transistor P4 decreases, so that the gate voltage of the transistors N3 and N4 decreases. The output voltage of the differential unit changes to a high level. The transistor N2 therefore turns on, and the output voltage of the gain unit changes to a low level (0 V). The output voltage of the inverter INV2 change to a high level, and the output voltage of the inverter INV1, i.e., the comparator output voltage changes to a low level (0 V). This turns the switch N5 on and the switch N6 off. The reference voltage input to the differential unit 2 therefore is the first reference voltage V1, i.e., 3 V. The transistor N1 also turns off. This charges the capacitor C0 with the charge current I_(c), so that the CG voltage increases.

Such an operation is repeated, so that the comparator output has the rectangular waveforms having the frequency determined by the resistance value of the resistor R0, the capacitance value of the capacitor C0, the first reference voltage V1 and the second reference voltage V2 (FIG. 28(d)). The D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF frequency-divides the comparator output so that the resultant frequency is ½ and the resultant duty ratio is 50%, and the output after such frequency-dividing is the clock output (FIG. 28(e)).

FIG. 29 illustrates the configuration to conduct an inspection before shipment of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a digital circuit operating with the clock output of the oscillator circuit 1. In FIG. 29, like reference numerals indicate like parts in FIG. 27, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. To conduct the inspection before shipment, a rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is externally connected to the input terminal CG, instead of the resistor R0 and the capacitor C0. This rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is to input a rectangular-wave control signal to the input terminal CG, the rectangular-wave control signal having a frequency higher than the oscillatory frequency determined by the resistance value of the resistor R0 and the capacitance value of the capacitor C0. Such inputting of a control signal with a relatively high frequency is to overclock the clock output of the oscillator circuit 1 and to shorten the time required for the inspection before shipment of the semiconductor integrated circuit.

FIGS. 30(a)-30(e) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 when the rectangular-wave control signal by the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is input to the input terminal CG. As illustrated in FIG. 30(a) in the drawing, the rectangular waves have the amplitude between 0 V and 5 V, and have the frequency of 2 MHz. That is, the period of the rectangular waves is 500 ns.

When the CG voltage rises from a low level (0 V) to a high level (5 V), then the output voltage of the differential unit gradually decreases while discharging the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 and the gate capacitance of this transistor via the current flowing through the transistor N3. In FIG. 30(b), “K51” denotes this.

When the output voltage of the differential unit falls below the gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2, then the transistor N2 turns off. The output voltage of the gain unit then gradually increases while charging the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 via the constant current from the transistor P1. In FIG. 30(c), “K52” denotes this.

In this way, rising of the CG voltage decreases the output voltage of the differential unit and increases the output voltage of the gain unit. The CG voltage, however, falls before the output voltage of the gain unit reaches the logical threshold voltage (2.5 V) of the inverter INV2. Falling of the CG voltage decreases the output voltage of the gain unit as well, so that the output voltage of the gain unit finally changes to a low level.

That is, the output voltage of the gain unit does not reach the logical threshold voltage (2.5 V) of the inverter INV2 through the entire period. The comparator output voltage therefore is fixed to a low level (0 V) through the entire period, and so the oscillation does not occur. The clock output voltage therefore is fixed to a high level (5 V) (in the case of FIG. 30(e)) or to a low level (0 V) through the entire period, and so the oscillation does not occur.

In this way, the comparator output voltage fails to follow the rectangular-wave control signal with 2 MHz from the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9, i.e., overclocking to 2 MHz fails.

REFERENCE DOCUMENT LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2001-267893 A

SUMMARY

The present inventor found that such a failure of the comparator output to follow a relatively high-frequency control signal that is input externally results from the time required to charge and discharge the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of a MOSFET as an amplifier in the gain unit of the comparator and the gate capacitance of such a MOSFET.

The present invention aims to provide an oscillator circuit using a comparator, the oscillator circuit controlling charge-discharge of the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of a MOSFET serving as an amplifier of the gain unit and the gate capacitance of the MOSFET, and enabling the comparator output to follow a relatively high-frequency control signal that is input externally.

To achieve the object, a comparator according to one aspect of the present invention has a differential unit and a gain unit. The comparator includes: a charge-discharge control unit configured to connect to the output of the differential unit and configured to control charge-discharge of Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of a MOSFET serving as an amplifier of the gain unit and gate capacitance of the MOSFET; and an output control unit configured to control the output of the gain unit. A signal generated at an external terminal of the comparator is input to one of the inputs of the differential unit. The output control unit includes: a first inverter configured to receive a signal generated at the external terminal as an input; a first logic circuit configured to receive the output of the first inverter and the output of the gain unit as an input; a first transistor having a drain configured to connect to the output of the gain unit, a source configured to connect to a reference potential of the comparator, and a gate configured to connect to the output of the first logic circuit; and a first capacitor configured to connect to the input and the output of the first logic circuit.

The first logic circuit may include: a second inverter configured to receive the output of the first inverter as an input; and a first negative OR circuit configured to receive the output of the second inverter and the output of the gain unit as an input. The output of the first negative OR circuit may be the output of the first logic circuit.

The charge-discharge control unit may include: a third inverter configured to receive a signal generated at the external terminal as an input; a second logic circuit configured to receive the output of the differential unit and the output of the third inverter as an input; a second transistor having a gate configured to connect to the output of the second logic circuit, a source configured to connect to a power-supply voltage of the comparator, and a drain configured to connect to the drain of the MOSFET; and a second capacitor configured to connect to two inputs of the second logic circuit.

The second logic circuit may include: a second negative OR circuit configured to receive the output of the differential unit and the output of the third inverter as an input; and a fourth inverter configured to receive the output of the second negative OR circuit as an input. The output of the fourth inverter may be the output of the second logic circuit.

The charge-discharge control unit may include a third transistor having a drain configured to connect to the gate of the MOSFET, a source configured to connect to the reference potential of the comparator, and a gate configured to connect to the output of the second negative OR circuit.

The signal generated at the external terminal may be a signal generated based on the output of the gain unit or a signal externally input to the external terminal of the comparator.

An oscillator circuit according to one aspect of the present invention uses the comparator as stated above. The oscillator circuit includes: a third capacitor configured to connect between one of the inputs of the differential unit and the reference potential of the comparator; a current-supply element configured to connect between the power-supply voltage of the comparator and the one of the inputs of the differential unit; and a discharge circuit configured to discharge the third capacitor according to the output of the comparator. A reference voltage is input to the other input of the differential unit.

The current-supply element may be a resistor or a constant current circuit.

A value of the reference voltage may be switched based on the output of the comparator.

The present invention provides a comparator and an oscillator circuit using the comparator, the oscillator circuit controlling charge-discharge of the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of a MOSFET serving as an amplifier of the gain unit and the gate capacitance of the MOSFET, and so enabling the comparator output to follow a relatively high-frequency control signal that is input externally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 describes an oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2(a)-2(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3(a)-3(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 5 MHz control signal) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 describes an oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5(a)-5(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 describes an oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7(a)-7(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8(a)-8(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 10 MHz control signal) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9(a)-9(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 20 MHz control signal) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 describes an oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11(a)-11(f) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 describes an oscillator circuit (receiving 10 MHz control signal) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13(a)-13(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 10 MHz control signal) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14(a)-14(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 17 MHz control signal) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 describes an oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16(a)-16(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 describes an oscillator circuit (receiving a rectangular-wave control signal) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18(a)-18(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 0 V and 5 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19(a)-19(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 50 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 0 V and 5 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20(a)-20(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 50 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 1.5 V and 3.5 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21(a)-21(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 50 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 0 V and 2.7 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 22(a)-22(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 50 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 2.3 V and 5 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23(a)-23(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (receiving 50 MHz control signal with an amplitude between 2.3 V and 2.7 V) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 describes the relationship between the rectangular-wave control signal voltage and the reference voltage, and the outputs of the negative OR circuit and the gain unit.

FIG. 25 describes an oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 26(a)-26(g) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 describes a conventional oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR).

FIGS. 28(a)-28(e) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the conventional oscillator circuit (including externally connected CR).

FIG. 29 describes a conventional oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal).

FIGS. 30(a)-30(e) are timing charts illustrating the operation of the conventional oscillator circuit (receiving 2 MHz control signal).

EMBODIMENTS

The following describes some embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates an oscillator circuit 1 a and a rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 externally connected to the oscillator circuit, as a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, like reference numerals indicate like parts in FIG. 29, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The oscillator circuit 1 a includes a charge-discharge control unit 4 in addition to the conventional configuration, and the charge-discharge control unit 4 is configured to control charge-discharge of the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 and the gate capacitance of this transistor. The charge-discharge control unit 4 includes an inverter INV3, a negative OR circuit NOR1, a transistor (N-type MOSFET) N7, an inverter INV4, and a transistor (P-type MOSFET) P6.

The input of the inverter INV3 connects to the input terminal CG. That is, the inverter INV3 receives a rectangular-wave control signal from the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9. The output of this inverter INV3 is sent to one of the inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1. The output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 connects to the gate of the transistor N7. The source of the transistor N7 connects to the ground terminal GND.

The output of the differential unit 2 (connecting point between the drain of the transistor P3 and the drain of the transistor N3) connects not only to the gate of the transistor N2 but also to the other input of the negative OR circuit NOR1 and the drain of the transistor N7. That is, the drain of the transistor N7 connects to the gate of the transistor N2.

The output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 connects to the input of the inverter INV4 as well. The output of the inverter INV4 connects to the gate of the transistor P6. The source of the transistor P6 connects to the power-supply terminal VDD, and the drain of the transistor P6 connects to the output of the gain unit (connecting point between the drain of the transistor P1 and the drain of the transistor N2).

In one example, let the power-supply voltage VDD be 5 V, and the reference potential of the oscillator circuit 1 a be at the ground level, i.e., 0 V. The resistors R2 to R6 have the same resistance values. This means that the first reference voltage V1 input to the comparator is 3 V, and the second reference voltage V2 is 2 V. All logical threshold voltages for the inverters INV1 to INV4, the negative OR circuit NOR1, and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF are ½×VDD. The gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2 is 0.7 V.

FIGS. 2(a)-2(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 a when the rectangular-wave control signal by the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is input to the input terminal CG. The horizontal axis in this drawing indicates time (μs). The vertical axis indicates CG voltage (V) that is the voltage at the input terminal CG in FIG. 2(a), output voltage of the differential unit (V) in FIG. 2(b), output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 (V) in FIG. 2(c), output voltage of the gain unit (V) in FIG. 2(d), comparator output voltage (V) in FIG. 2(e), and clock output voltage (V) in FIG. 2(f).

As illustrated in FIG. 2(a) in the drawing, the rectangular-wave control signal has the amplitude between 0 V and 5 V, and has the frequency of 2 MHz. That is, the period of the rectangular-wave control signal is 500 ns.

When the CG voltage changes from a low level (0 V) to a high level (5 V), the output of the inverter INV3, which is one of the inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1, changes to a low level. Subsequently, since the gate voltage of the transistor P3 is at a high level, the output voltage of the differential unit gradually decreases while discharging the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 and the gate capacitance of this transistor. In FIG. 2(b), “K11” denotes this.

When the output voltage of the differential unit falls below the logical threshold voltage ½×VDD (2.5 V) of the negative OR circuit NOR1, both of the inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1 change to a low level and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 changes to a high level (5 V).

This turns the transistor N7 on, so that the output of the differential unit generates a short with the ground terminal GND. This speeds up the discharging of the Miller capacitance and the gate capacitance as stated above, and the output voltage of the differential unit reaches 0 V almost concurrently with falling-below of 2.5 V. In FIG. 2(b), “K12” denotes this. As a result, the transistor N2 turns off.

Receiving the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1, the output of the inverter INV4 changes to a low level. As a result, the transistor P6 turns on. At this time, the current flowing through the transistor P6 is much greater than the constant current flowing through the transistor P1, so that the Miller capacitance is rapidly charged with the current flowing through the transistor P6. This changes the output voltage of the gain unit to a high level almost concurrently with the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 changing to a high level. In FIG. 2(d), “K21” denotes this.

As illustrated in FIGS. 30(a)-30(e), after 250 ns from the rising of the CG voltage in the conventional oscillator circuit 1, the output of the gain unit is still at a low level (less than 2.5 V). In contrast, as illustrated in FIGS. 2(a)-2(f), the output of the gain unit of the present embodiment changes to a high level before 100 ns from the rising of the CG voltage, and the comparator output voltage also changes to a high level.

In this way, the transistor N7 shortens the time required for discharging of the Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of the transistor N2 and the gate capacitance of this transistor. The transistor P6 shortens the time required for charging of the Miller capacitance. This shortens the time required for the output voltage of the gain unit to reach the logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV2. The comparator output of the present embodiment therefore follows a relatively high-frequency control signal that is externally input.

The output of the differential unit is input to the gate of the transistor N2 and to the negative OR circuit NOR1, and the output of this negative OR circuit NOR1 is input to the gate of the transistor N7 that connects to the output of the differential unit and the ground terminal GND. Such a configuration functions with the logical threshold voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 that is higher than the gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2.

Specifically, the transistor N2 of the conventional oscillator circuit 1 turns off and the output voltage of the gain unit starts to increase only after the output voltage of the differential unit falls below the gate threshold voltage (e.g., 0.7 V) of the transistor N2. In contrast, the transistor N2 of the oscillator circuit 1 a of the present embodiment turns off and the output voltage of the gain unit starts to increase when the output voltage of the differential unit decreases to the logical threshold voltage (e.g., 2.5 V) of the negative OR circuit NOR1 that is higher than the gate threshold voltage of the transistor N2. Additionally, charging with the transistor P6 starts at the timing of turning-off of the transistor N2. This shortens the time required for rising of the output of the gain unit.

FIGS. 3(a)-3(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 a when the rectangular-wave control signal having the amplitude of 0 V to 5 V and the frequency of 5 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. This drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage changes while following the voltage of the input terminal CG. In other words, the comparator output voltage is overclocked to about 5 MHz.

FIG. 4 illustrates the oscillator circuit 1 a during typical operation. The oscillator circuit also includes a resistor R0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the power-supply terminal VDD as well as a capacitor C0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. FIGS. 5(a)-5(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 a during typical operation. In a manner similar to that in FIGS. 28(a)-28(e), the drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage has about 200 kHz and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF yields the clock output at about 100 kHz.

The inverters INV3 and INV4 may be called a first inverter and a second inverter, respectively, in the charge-discharge control unit. The transistors N7 and P6 may be called a discharge switch and a charge switch, respectively.

The configuration of the charge-discharge control unit 4 may be changed as needed. In one example, the inverter INV3 and the negative OR circuit NOR1 may be combined as one logic circuit. In this configuration, the input of the inverter INV3 can be the input of this logic circuit, and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 can be the output of this logic circuit.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates an oscillator circuit 1 b and a rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 externally connecting to the oscillator circuit, as a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, like reference numerals indicate like parts in FIG. 1, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. Note here that the charge-discharge control unit 4 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the combination of a first detection logic unit 41 and a first auxiliary circuit 42 in FIG. 6. The first detection logic unit 41 includes an inverter INV3, a negative OR circuit NOR1 and an inverter INV4, and is configured to firstly detect the CG voltage reaching a high level. The first auxiliary circuit 42 includes transistors P6 and N7, and is configured to help the output of the gain unit change rapidly to a high level at the exact timing when the output of the gain unit is to change to a high level.

The oscillator circuit 1 b includes a second auxiliary circuit 5 in addition to the configuration of the oscillator circuit 1 a. The second auxiliary circuit 5 includes a switch (N-type MOSFET) N8 and transistors (N-type MOSFETs) N9 to N11, and is configured to help the output of the gain unit change to a low level speedily at the exact timing when the output of the gain unit is to change to a low level.

The drain of the transistor N10 connects to the output of the gain unit, and the source of the transistor N10 connects to the drain of the transistor N11. The source of the transistor N11 connects to the ground terminal GND. The output of the inverter INV4 is input to the gates of the switch N8 and of the transistor N10 in addition to the gate of the transistor P6.

The switch N8 is inserted between the output of the differential unit 2 and the gate of the transistor N11. The gate of the transistor N11 connects to the drain of the transistor N9. The output of the differential unit 2 is input not only to the gate of the transistor N2 but also to the drain of the transistor N9 and the gate of the transistor N11 via the switch N8. The source of the transistor N9 connects to the ground terminal GND, and the gate of the transistor N9 receives the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1.

FIGS. 7(a)-7(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 b when the rectangular-wave control signal by the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is input to the input terminal CG. The horizontal axis in this drawing indicates time (μs). The vertical axis indicates CG voltage (V) that is the voltage at the input terminal CG in FIG. 7(a), output voltage of the differential unit (V) in FIG. 7(b), output voltage at the negative OR circuit NOR1 (V) in FIG. 7(c), output voltage of the gain unit (V) in FIG. 7(d), comparator output voltage (V) in FIG. 7(e), and clock output voltage (V) in FIG. 7(f).

As illustrated in FIG. 7(a) in the drawing, the rectangular-wave control signal has an amplitude between 0 V and 5 V, and has a frequency of 2 MHz. That is, the period of the rectangular waves is 500 ns.

In the case other than “when the CG voltage as the input of the inverter INV3 is at a high level (>½×VDD) and the output of the differential unit 2 is at a low level (<½×VDD)”, i.e., at the exact timing when the output of the gain unit 3 is to change to a low level (or is at a low level), the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 changes to a low level and the output of the inverter INV4 changes to a high level. Then, the switch N8 and the transistor N10 turn on and the transistor N9 turns off.

This results in the transistor N11 connecting in parallel to the transistor N2. This means an increase of the current capacity, so that the output of the gain unit 3 rapidly decreases to a low level. In the drawing (d), “Q1” denotes this. As is clear from the comparison with “Q2” in FIG. 2(d), this shortens the time from the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 changing to a low level to the output of the gain unit changing to a low level.

In the case “when the CG voltage as the input of the inverter INV3 is at a high level (>½×VDD) and the output of the differential unit 2 is at a low level (<½×VDD)”, i.e., at the exact timing when the output of the gain unit 3 is to change to a high level (or is at a high level), the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 changes to a high level and the output of the inverter INV4 changes to a low level. Then, the switch N8 and the transistor N10 turn off and the transistor N9 turns on. This disconnects the transistor N11 from the transistor N2 and the output of the gain unit.

FIGS. 8(a)-8(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 b when the rectangular-wave control signal having the amplitude of 0 V to 5 V and the frequency of 10 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. FIGS. 9(a)-9(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 b when the rectangular-wave control signal having the amplitude of 0 V to 5 V and the frequency of 20 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. These drawings illustrate that the comparator output voltage changes while following the voltage of the input terminal CG. In other words, the comparator output voltage is overclocked to about 20 MHz.

FIG. 10 illustrates the oscillator circuit 1 b during typical operation. The oscillator circuit also includes a resistor R0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the power-supply terminal VDD as well as a capacitor C0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. FIGS. 11(a)-11(f) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 b during typical operation. In a manner similar to that in FIG. 28, the drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage has about 200 kHz and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF yields the clock output at about 100 kHz.

The second auxiliary circuit 5 may be called an output control unit to control the output of the gain unit.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 12 illustrates an oscillator circuit 1 c and a rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 externally connecting to the oscillator circuit, as a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, like reference numerals indicate like parts in FIG. 6, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

The oscillator circuit 1 c includes a second detection logic unit 6 and a second auxiliary circuit 7 in addition to the configuration of the oscillator circuit 1 a. The second detection logic unit 6 includes an inverter INV5, a negative AND circuit NAND1 and an inverter INV6, and is configured to first detect the CG voltage reaching a low level. The second auxiliary circuit 7 includes a transistor (N-type MOSFET) N8 a having a drain connecting to the output of the gain unit and a source connecting to the ground terminal GND, and is configured to help the transistor N8 a turn on at the exact timing when the output of the gain unit is to change to a low level and the output of the gain unit change to a low level speedily.

The output of the gain unit is input to the inverter INV5. The output of this inverter INV5 and the output of the inverter INV3 are input to the negative AND circuit NAND1. The output of the negative AND circuit NAND1 is input to the inverter INV6, and the output of this inverter INV6 is input to the gate of the transistor N8 a.

In one example, let the power-supply voltage VDD be 5 V, and the reference potential of the oscillator circuit 1 c be at the ground level, i.e., 0 V. The resistors R2 to R6 have the same resistance values. This means that the first reference voltage V1 input to the comparator is 3 V, and the second reference voltage V2 is 2 V. All logical threshold voltages for the inverters INV1 to INV4 and INV6 and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF are ½×VDD. The logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV5 is ⅔×VDD. This means that the logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV5 is higher than the logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV3.

FIGS. 13(a)-13(g) illustrates simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 c when the rectangular-wave control signal by the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 is input to the input terminal CG. The horizontal axis in this drawing indicates time (ns). The vertical axis indicates CG voltage (V) that is the voltage at the input terminal CG in FIG. 13(a), output voltage of the differential unit (V) in FIG. 13(b), output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 (V) in FIG. 13(c), output voltage of the negative AND circuit NAND1 (V) in FIG. 13(d), output voltage of the gain unit (V) in FIG. 13(e), comparator output voltage (V) in FIG. 13(f), and clock output voltage (V) in FIG. 13(g).

As illustrated in FIG. 13(a) in the drawing, the rectangular-wave control signal has the amplitude between 0 V and 5 V, and has the frequency of 10 MHz. That is, the period of the rectangular waves is 100 ns.

When the second detection logic unit 6 detects that the CG voltage and the output of the gain unit are input and the CG voltage changes to a low level (0 V in FIG. 12) and the output of the gain unit changes to a low level (⅔×VDD or less), then the output of the negative AND circuit NAND1 changes to a low level (the output of the inverter INV6 is at a high level). Such output of the negative AND circuit NAND1 at a low level (the output of the inverter INV6 at a high level) turns the transistor N8 a of the second auxiliary circuit on, so that the output of the gain unit rapidly changes to a low level (“Q3” in FIG. 13(e)). As illustrated in FIG. 13(e), the output voltage of the gain unit changes gently and decreases slowly at the initial stage of the falling. The logical threshold voltage of the inverter INV5 to detect the falling of the output voltage of the gain unit therefore is set higher than the logical threshold voltages of other inverters so as to enable rapid detection of the start of the falling of such output voltage of the gain unit.

FIGS. 14(a)-14(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 c when the rectangular-wave control signal having the amplitude of 0 V to 5 V and the frequency of 17 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. This drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage changes while following the voltage of the input terminal CG. In other words, the comparator output voltage is overclocked to about 17 MHz.

FIG. 15 illustrates the oscillator circuit 1 c during typical operation. The oscillator circuit also includes a resistor R0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the power-supply terminal VDD as well as a capacitor C0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. FIGS. 16(a)-16(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 c during typical operation. In a manner similar to that in FIG. 28, the drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage has about 200 kHz and the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF yields the clock output at about 100 kHz.

The second detection logic unit 6 and the second auxiliary circuit 7 may be collectively called an output control unit to control the output of the gain unit.

The configuration of the second detection logic unit 6 may be changed as needed. In one example, the inverter INV5, the negative AND circuit NAND1 and the inverter INV6 may be combined as one logic circuit. In this configuration, the input of the inverter INV5 can be the input of this logic circuit, and the output of the inverter INV6 can be the output of this logic circuit.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 17 illustrates an oscillator circuit 1 d and a rectangular-wave generation circuit 9 externally connected to the oscillator circuit, as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals indicate like parts in FIG. 12, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. “CMP” in the drawing represents a comparator of the present embodiment.

An oscillator circuit 1 d in this embodiment includes a charge-discharge control unit 4 d including a first detection logic unit 41 d and a first auxiliary circuit 42, instead of the charge-discharge control unit 4 in the oscillator circuit 1 c. The first detection logic unit 41 d includes a capacitor (speedup capacitor) C1 in addition to the configuration of the first detection logic unit 41. The capacitor C1 connects to the two inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1, and functions as an AC path between these inputs.

The oscillator circuit 1 d includes a second detection logic unit 6 d, instead of the second detection logic unit 6 in the oscillator circuit 1 c. The second detection logic unit 6 d includes inverters INV5 d and INV6 d, a negative OR circuit NOR2 and a capacitor (speedup capacitor) C2, and is configured to detect the CG voltage changing to a low level.

The input of the inverter INV5 d connects to the input terminal CG that connects to the gate of the transistor P3 making up a differential pair. That is, the inverter INV5 d receives a rectangular-wave control signal from the rectangular-wave generation circuit 9. The output of this inverter INV5 d is input to the inverter INV6 d. The output of the inverter INV6 d and the output of the gain unit 3 are input to the negative OR circuit NOR2. The output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 is input to the gate of the transistor N8 a. The input of the inverter INV6 d and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 connect to the capacitor C2. The capacitor C2 functions as an AC path between the input of the inverter INV6 d and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2.

FIGS. 18(a)-18(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 d using the comparator CMP when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 2 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. The horizontal axis in this drawing indicates time (μs). The vertical axis indicates CG voltage (V) in FIG. 18(a), output voltage of the differential unit (V) in FIG. 18(b), output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 (V) in FIG. 18(c), output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR2 (V) in FIG. 18(d), output voltage of the gain unit (V) in FIG. 18(e), output voltage of the comparator (V) in FIG. 18(f), and clock output voltage (V) in FIG. 18(g).

As illustrated in FIG. 18(a) in the drawing, the rectangular-wave control signal has the amplitude between 0 V and 5 V, and has the frequency of 2 MHz. The power-supply voltage VDD is 5 V and the reference potential (GND voltage) of the oscillator circuit 1 d and the comparator CMP is 0 V. The resistors R2 to R6 have the same resistance values. This means that the reference voltage V1 and the second reference voltage V2 that are input to the comparator are 3 V and 2 V, respectively. All logical threshold voltages for the inverters INV1 to INV4, INV5 d and INV6 d, the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF, and the negative OR circuits NOR1 and NOR2 are ½×VDD.

FIGS. 18(a)-18(g) illustrate that the oscillator circuit 1 d successfully operates when it receives the rectangular-wave control signal of 2 MHz.

FIGS. 19(a)-19(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 d when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 50 MHz is input to the input terminal CG. The rectangular-wave control signal in this case has the amplitude between 0 V and 5 V and has the frequency of 50 MHz as illustrated in FIGS. 19(a) and (a) of FIG. 24. FIGS. 19(a)-19(g) illustrate that the oscillator circuit 1 d successfully operates also when it receives the rectangular-wave control signal of 50 MHz.

Referring to FIGS. 19(a)-19(g), the following describes the operation of the oscillator circuit 1 d using the comparator CMP.

(1) Operation of the First Detection Logic Unit 41 d

The output voltage of the differential unit, which is one of the inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1, does not reach the logical threshold voltage (½×VDD) of this negative OR circuit, and maintains a low level that is lower than the logical threshold value. The output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 is therefore in phase with the CG voltage that is input to the other input terminal of this negative OR circuit via the inverter INV3.

(2) Operation of the First Auxiliary Circuit 42

The above (1) means that the transistor N7 having the gate connecting to the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 turns on when the CG voltage is at a high level, and turns off when the CG voltage is at a low level. This also means that the transistor P6 having the gate connecting to the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 via the inverter INV4 turns on when the CG voltage is at a high level, and turns off when the CG voltage is at a low level.

(3) Operation of the Second Detection Logic Unit 6 d

The transistor N2 (having the gate threshold voltage of 0.7 V) turns on due to the output of the differential unit, and the output voltage of the gain unit changes to a low level. When the output voltage of the gain unit is at a low level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2, to which this output voltage of the gain unit is input and the CG voltage is input via the inverters INV5 d and INV6 d, is in opposite phase of the CG voltage. The input of the inverter INV6 d also is in opposite phase of the CG voltage due to the inverter INV5 d. The input of the inverter INV6 d and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 are in synchronization stably via the capacitor C2.

(4) Operation of the Second Auxiliary Circuit 7

The above (3) means that the transistor N8 a having the gate connecting to the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 turns off when the CG voltage is at a high level, and turns on when the CG voltage is at a low level.

(5) Output of the Gain Unit

The above means that, when the CG voltage is at a high level, the first auxiliary circuit 42 and the second auxiliary circuit 7 allow the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 to be at a high level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 to be at a low level, and the output of the gain unit to be at a high level (see the table above (b) of FIG. 24). When the CG voltage is at a low level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 is at a low level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 is at a high level, and the output of the gain unit is at a low level.

Next the following describes the operation of the comparator of the present embodiment that compares the CG voltage with the reference voltage.

FIGS. 20(a)-20(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 50 MHz (the amplitude of 1.5 V and 3.5 V) is input. As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 24, 3.5 V as the maximum value exceeds 3 V that is the first reference voltage, and 1.5 V as the minimum value falls below 2 V that is the second reference voltage. The output voltage of the gain unit is therefore in phase with the rectangular-wave control signal (see the table above (b) of FIG. 24). This means that the resultant output of the comparator is in phase with the rectangular-wave control signal. The detection operation is as described in the above (1) to (5).

FIGS. 21(a)-21(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 50 MHz (the amplitude of 0 V and 2.7 V) is input. As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 24, 2.7 V as the maximum value falls below 3 V that is the first reference voltage. This means that the output voltage of the gain unit is at a low level, and the output of the comparator also is at a low level.

The operation is as follows. When the CG voltage changes from 0 V to 2.7 V, the current flowing from the transistor P3 to the output of the differential unit reduces in the differential unit 2. This is because, although the first reference voltage (3 V) exceeds the CG voltage, the difference is small. While the output of the inverter INV3 is at a low level, the inverter INV3 has a small power to change the output to a low level, because the input voltage 2.7 V of the inverter INV3 is close to the threshold voltage VDD/2=2.5 V of the inverter INV3. Specifically, the output at a low level means that the output of the inverter INV3 absorbs the current. The amount of the absorbed current, however, decreases as the input approaches the threshold voltage.

When the CG voltage is about to reach 2.7 V, the capacitor C1 is charged with a difference in voltage between 5 V, which is the output voltage of the inverter INV3, and about 1 V (FIG. 21(b)), which is the output voltage of the differential unit. A change in the CG voltage from 0 V to 2.7 V therefore does not instantly change the output of the inverter INV3 to a low level. The suppressed current flowing through the transistor P3 and the inverter INV3 therefore discharges the charge in the capacitor C1. This gradually decreases the output of the inverter INV3, and accordingly increases the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1. The output of the inverter INV3 transmitted via the capacitor C1 increases the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1. This turns the transistor N7 on, and the output voltage of the differential unit accordingly decreases to 0 V.

As a result, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR1 has the waveform having a smaller duty ratio than that of the CG voltage. This shortens the time to turn the transistor P6 on.

The output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 is as follows. When the CG voltage is 0 V, the output is at a high level similarly to FIG. 18(d), because a difference from the threshold voltage of the inverter INV5 d, VDD/2=2.5 V, is large. When the CG voltage is 2.7 V, the inverter INV5 d has a small power to change the output to a low level, because the input voltage 2.7 V of the inverter INV5 d is close to the threshold voltage 2.5 V of the inverter INV5 d. Specifically, the output at a low level means that the output of the inverter INV5 d absorbs the current. The amount of the absorbed current, however, decreases as the input approaches to the threshold voltage. This requires a long time to transmit a change of the CG voltage (0 V→2.7 V) to the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2, so that the CG voltage reaches 0 V again before the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 changes. This means that the transistor N8 is always on and the output voltage of the gain unit is at a low level.

FIGS. 22(a)-22(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 50 MHz (the amplitude of 2.3 V and 5 V) is input. As illustrated in (d) of FIG. 24, 2.3 V as the minimum value exceeds the second reference voltage (2 V). The output voltage of the gain unit is at a high level, the output voltage of the comparator is accordingly at a high level.

The operation is as follows. The CG voltage exceeds the second reference voltage (2 V) in the differential unit 2. This turns the transistor P3 off and the transistor N3 on, so that the output voltage of the differential unit is at a low level. That is, the above (1) and (2) hold, so that the transistor P6 turns on or off. In contrast, the above (3) does not hold, so that the transistor N2 remains off. When the CG voltage is 2.3 V, this CG voltage is close to the threshold voltage 2.5 V of the inverter INV5 d. The output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR2, which is the gate voltage of the transistor N8 a, is therefore not very high as compared with the threshold voltage of the transistor N8 a (FIG. 22(d)), so that the current flowing through the transistor N8 a is restricted. The output voltage of the negative OR circuit NOR1 gradually decreases from 5 V, so that the output voltage of the inverter INV4, which is the gate voltage of the transistor P6, gradually increases from 0 V. This maintains the current-feeding state from the transistor P6 for a while. This means that a decrease in the output of the gain unit is small during a change of the CG voltage from 5 V to 2.3 V. As a result, the output of the gain unit maintains a high level.

FIGS. 23(a)-23(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts when the rectangular-wave control signal having the frequency of 50 MHz (the amplitude of 2.3 V and 2.7 V) is input. As illustrated in (e) of FIG. 24, 2.3 V as the minimum value exceeds the second reference voltage (2 V), and 2.7 V as the maximum value falls below the first reference voltage (3 V). The output voltage of the gain unit is at a high level, and the output of the comparator accordingly is at a high level. The negative OR circuit NOR2 operates similarly to FIG. 21.

As stated above, FIGS. 20(a)-20(g) to FIGS. 23(a)-23(g) demonstrate that the comparator performs a comparison operation for the input signal of 50 MHz.

The oscillator circuit 1 d is configured so that the first detection logic unit 41 d and the first auxiliary circuit 42 allow the output of the gain unit to change to a high level speedily following a change of the CG voltage from a low level (0 V) to a high level (5 V), and the second detection logic unit 6 d and the second auxiliary circuit 7 allow the output of the gain unit to change to a low level speedily following a change of the CG voltage from a high level to a low level.

A higher-frequency signal passes through the capacitor C1 more easily. Since rectangular waves include numerous high-frequency components at the rising and the falling, the rising edge and the falling edge of the rectangular waves easily pass through the capacitor C1. A sudden change of the output of the inverter INV3, which is in opposite phase with the high-frequency rectangular-wave control signal and is one of the inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1, therefore leads to a similar change of the other input of the negative OR circuit NOR1. This allows the negative OR circuit NOR1 to perform a pseudo-inverter operation to speedily switch in phase with the rectangular-wave control signal.

Similarly, a sudden change of the output of the inverter INV5 d, which is in opposite phase with the high-frequency rectangular-wave control signal, leads to transmission of such a change to the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 via the capacitor C2. Accordingly, when the high-frequency rectangular-wave control signal changes to a low level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 speedily changes to a high level, and the output voltage of the gain unit changes to a low level. A comparison between the waveform of “Q4” in FIG. 13(d) and “Q5” in FIG. 13(e) and the waveform in FIG. 19(d) and FIG. 19(e) also confirms this. When the rectangular-wave control signal changes to a high level, the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 speedily changes to a low level, and the output voltage of the gain unit changes to a high level.

FIG. 25 illustrates the oscillator circuit 1 d during typical operation. The oscillator circuit includes a resistor R0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the power-supply terminal VDD, where the resistor R0 functions as a current-supply element. The oscillator circuit also includes a capacitor C0 externally connected between the input terminal CG and the ground terminal GND. FIGS. 26(a)-26(g) illustrate simulated waveforms of the voltage at various parts of the oscillator circuit 1 d during typical operation. Similarly to FIGS. 28(a)-28(e), the drawing illustrates that the comparator output voltage has about 200 kHz, and the output of the D-type flip-flop circuit D-FF yields the clock output at about 100 kHz.

The current-supply element is not limited to a resistor, which may be a constant current circuit using a current mirror circuit, for example.

The second detection logic unit 6 d and the second auxiliary circuit 7 may be collectively called an output control unit to control the output of the gain unit. The configuration may omit the capacitor C1.

In one example, the inverter INV6 d and the negative OR circuit NOR2 may be combined as one logic circuit. In this configuration, the input of the inverter INV6 d can be the input of this logic circuit, and the output of the negative OR circuit NOR2 can be the output of this logic circuit.

In one example, the negative OR circuit NOR1 and the inverter INV4 may be combined as one logic circuit. In this configuration, the two inputs of the negative OR circuit NOR1 can be the two inputs of this logic circuit, and the output of the inverter INV4 can be the output of this logic circuit.

These are descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The concept of the present invention includes various modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention.

In one example, the reference potential of the oscillator circuit is not limited to the ground, which may be set at any potential. To distinguish a plurality of inverters, each of these inverters may be called a n-th inverter. Note here that “n” is a natural number. Similarly, to distinguish a plurality of transistors, each of these transistors may be called an n-th transistor. To distinguish a plurality of capacitors, each of these capacitors may be called an n-th capacitor.

A signal generated at the input terminal CG of the oscillator circuit can be input to one of the inputs (the gate of the transistor P3) of the differential unit 2 via the external terminal of the comparator CMP. As stated above, a signal generated at the external terminal of the comparator CMP can be a signal generated based on the output of the gain unit of the comparator or a signal externally input to the external terminal of this comparator.

As stated above, a control signal to control the oscillator circuit may be a signal generated based on the output of the gain unit or a signal externally input to the oscillator circuit. Such a control signal is input to one of the inputs of the differential unit.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

-   CMP Comparator -   1 Oscillator circuit -   VDD Power-supply terminal -   CG Input terminal -   GND Ground terminal -   2 Differential unit -   P2 to P5 Transistor -   N3, N4 Transistor -   N5, N6 Switch -   R2 to R6 Resistor -   V1, V2 Reference voltage -   3 Gain unit -   P1 Transistor -   N2 Transistor -   INV2 Inverter -   INV1 Inverter -   R1 Resistor -   N1 Transistor -   D-FF D-type flip-flop circuit -   1 a Oscillator circuit -   4 Charge-discharge control unit -   INV3 Inverter -   NOR1 Negative OR circuit -   N7 Transistor -   INV4 Inverter -   P6 Transistor -   R0 Resistor -   C0 Capacitor -   9 Rectangular-wave generation circuit -   1 b Oscillator circuit -   41 First detection logic unit -   42 First auxiliary circuit -   5 Second auxiliary circuit -   N8 Switch -   N9 to N11 Transistor -   1 c Oscillator circuit -   6 Second detection logic unit -   INV5, INV6 Inverter -   NAND1 Negative AND circuit -   7 Second auxiliary circuit -   N8 a Transistor -   1 d Oscillator circuit -   4 d Charge-discharge control unit -   41 d First detection logic unit -   6 d Second detection logic unit -   INV5 d, INV6 d Inverter -   NOR2 Negative OR circuit -   C1, C2 Capacitor 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A comparator having a differential unit and a gain unit, comprising: a charge-discharge control unit configured to connect to an output of the differential unit and configured to control charge-discharge of Miller capacitance between the gate and the drain of a MOSFET serving as an amplifier of the gain unit and gate capacitance of the MOSFET; and an output control unit configured to control an output of the gain unit, a signal generated at an external terminal of the comparator being input to one of the inputs of the differential unit, the output control unit including: a first inverter configured to receive a signal generated at the external terminal as an input; a first logic circuit configured to receive the output of the first inverter and the output of the gain unit as an input; a first transistor having a drain configured to connect to the output of the gain unit, a source configured to connect to a reference potential of the comparator, and a gate configured to connect to the output of the first logic circuit; and a first capacitor configured to connect to the input and the output of the first logic circuit.
 2. The comparator according to claim 1, wherein the first logic circuit includes: a second inverter configured to receive the output of the first inverter as an input; and a first negative OR circuit configured to receive the output of the second inverter and the output of the gain unit as an input, and wherein the output of the first negative OR circuit is the output of the first logic circuit.
 3. The comparator according to claim 1, wherein the charge-discharge control unit includes: a third inverter configured to receive the signal generated at the external terminal as an input; a second logic circuit configured to receive the output of the differential unit and the output of the third inverter as an input; a second transistor having a gate configured to connect to the output of the second logic circuit, a source configured to connect to a power-supply voltage of the comparator, and a drain configured to connect to the drain of the MOSFET; and a second capacitor configured to connect to two inputs of the second logic circuit.
 4. The comparator according to claim 3, wherein the second logic circuit includes: a second negative OR circuit configured to receive the output of the differential unit and the output of the third inverter as an input; and a fourth inverter configured to receive the output of the second negative OR circuit as an input, and wherein the output of the fourth inverter is the output of the second logic circuit.
 5. The comparator according to claim 4, wherein the charge-discharge control unit includes a third transistor having a drain configured to connect to the gate of the MOSFET, a source configured to connect to the reference potential of the comparator, and a gate configured to connect to the output of the second negative OR circuit.
 6. The comparator according to claim 1, wherein the signal generated at the external terminal is a signal generated based on the output of the gain unit or a signal externally input to the external terminal of the comparator.
 7. An oscillator circuit using the comparator according to claim 1, the oscillator circuit comprising: a third capacitor configured to connect between one of the inputs of the differential unit and the reference potential of the comparator; a current-supply element configured to connect between the power-supply voltage of the comparator and the one of the inputs of the differential unit; and a discharge circuit configured to discharge the third capacitor according to the output of the comparator, a reference voltage being input to the other input of the differential unit.
 8. The oscillator circuit according to claim 7, wherein the current-supply element is a resistor or a constant current circuit.
 9. The oscillator circuit according to claim 7, wherein a value of the reference voltage is switched based on the output of the comparator. 